Enhancing the contribution of neglected and underutilized species to food security, and to
incomes of the rural poor:
Read the IPGRI/IFAD Project - May 2001Read the Problem Analysis and Logical Framework of the overall Project
IFAD Web site
Past achievements:Read the Final Report on "Conservation and Use of Underutilized Mediterranean Species
Projects
IPGRI’s NUS research thrust:
IPGRI is involved actively in supporting the conservation and use of neglected and underutilized species
focusing on selected priority species that are strategic in sustainable
agricultural systems, provide potential for increased use, are under serious
threats of genetic erosion and have local or regional importance for food
security, nutrition and income generation. From the portfolio of IPGRI’s on going activities the following have
been selected in view of their global significance:
1. Central & West and North Africa region (CWANA)
1.1. Underutilized species in Lebanon
1.2. Fig genetic resources in Syria
1.3. Pomegranate diversity in CWANA
1.4. Medicinal and aromatic plants to enhance livelihood in Egypt and Yemen
1.5. Pistachio genetic diversity in Syria and Central Asia
2. Asia, The Pacific and Oceania region (APO)
2.1. Underutilized fruit trees of Asia
2.2. Minor millets for a better nutrition of the rural poor in India and Nepal
3. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)
3.1. Improving the nutritional resource base in Africa through the use enhancement of indigenous vegetables
4. Americas region (AM)
4.1. Enhancing the use of nutritious grains in the Andes
4.2. Conserving and using tropical American fruits
4.2.1 Collaborative research on Passiflora
4.2.2 Establishing a cherimoya regional genebank
4.2.3 Inventory of native fruits from the Americas
Description of activities
The following section provides an introduction to the activities listed above. These are being grouped according
to their:
International,
Regional or
National significance
International significance
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Activities 1.5, 2.2 and 4.1 are part of an IFAD
(International Fund for Agricultural Development) - supported global Project, recently approved, whose goal is to contribute to
raising the incomes and strengthening the food security of small farmers and
rural communities around the world through securing and exploiting the full
potential of the genetic diversity contained in neglected and underutilized
species.
In this project, farmers and researchers will work together in networks
to secure the genetic resource base, and improve the quality and availability
of planting materials to users. Options for strengthening marketing and income
generation will be identified. Key players in the processing and marketing
chains will be brought into the networks. Action research has been designed to
produce (i) direct impact of the pilot projects through enhanced use of the
genetic resources and identification of specific investment opportunities, and
(ii) global lessons that can be generalised to other species and regions.
Public awareness is also a key element of the work, as it is protecting the
rights of farmers and local communities. Species addressed by this Project
include medicinal and aromatic plants such argel (Solenostemma arghel), caper (Capparis
spp.), oregano (Origanum syriacum), mint
(Mentha piperita), liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), aloe (Aloe spp.), coriander (Coriandrum sativum), cumin (Cuminum
cyminum) and henna (Lawsonia inermis)
which will be addressed in Egypt and Yemen; andean grains, s.a. quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), canihua (C. pallidicaule) and amaranth (Amaranthus caudatus) which will be
addressed in Equador, Peru and Bolivia; nutritious minor cereals s.a. finger
millet (Eleusine coracana), Italian millet (Setaria italica), and little
millet (Panicum miliare) which will be the focus in India and Nepal.
The IFAD-supported Project will provide organizational and technical outputs, including:
- networks that provide participatory systems and procedures to support the improved production and use of the selected crops;
- operational alliances formed among selected network partners to implement actions that overcome production and marketing constraints (e.g. seed supply systems, processing groups, distribution cooperatives);
- increased capacity of marketing associations and producer groups to use improved materials of neglected and underutilized crops and more stable demand;
- integrated conservation of selected crop genetic resources;
- seed and other planting materials available for use by local communities and strengthened local seed production systems;
- improved crop materials with enhanced competitiveness made available to rural communities through participatory variety selection and participatory plant breeding;
- improved processing and marketing opportunities identified, leading to specific investment and income generation opportunities through greater demand for the selected crops and their products;
- a secure resource base for the selected crops for use in global development initiatives including deployment in marginal areas in other regions;
- knowledge of effective procedures to integrate neglected and underutilized crops into development actions;
- publications including technical guidelines, information on specific crops, their properties and nutritional value, and an overall synthesis;
- global experience linking plant genetic resources research with local institutions for managing crop resources.
By the end of 2001 the project will have all its national components launched through national workshops. In 2002 genetic diversity surveys, local networks and community-led characterization work on selected species are expected to be accomplished.
Enhancing the contribution of neglected and underutilized species to food security, and to incomes of the rural poor
Read the IFAD Supported Project - May 2001Read the Problem Analysis and Logical Framework of the overall Project Regional significance
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Pomegranate diversity in CWANA (activity 1.3)
top Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a priority species for the CWANA region. Calls for greater attention on this underutilized fruit tree have been made at international, regional and national fora. Research is needed to better study the genetic diversity of its cultivated varieties and wild species, the latter occurring only in Central Asia and in the island of Socotra, Yemen. More information is needed on the patterns of use across the region and the constraints that limit the better deployment of these valuable fruit trees adapted to grow in the fragile ecosystems of this region. Ex situ conservation of pomegranate is also a priority for safeguarding endangered varieties and provide better options for enhancing its uses. In situ conservation is needed for the remnant populations of wild pomegranate growing in Turkmenistan and other neighboring countries. IPGRI has picked up these concerns and has launched in 2000 a number of activities in the CWANA region to improve the conservation and use of pomegranate. During 2001, the characterization of the largest ex situ collection of pomegranate (held in Turkmenistan- more than 1,000 accessions) will be completed and for the first time the scientific community will know more of the diversity wealth of pomegranate, now under threat of neglect due to lack of financial resources. An ecogeographic study on pomegranate along with a morphological and molecular characterization will be also completed in 2002 in Syria. Such a study will shed light on the diversity of pomegranate, its cultivation and use in one of the largest producers of this crop in West Asia, country that has been scarcely studied to this regard.
Pistachio genetic diversity in Syria and Central Asia (activity 1.5)
top Pistachio is an important economic horticultural crop for the whole CWANA region. Its wild relatives play a fundamental role in the conservation of ecosystems, particularly in those difficult areas prone to drought and characterized by poor soils, while being also source of pest and disease resistance for the cultivated varieties. The resource base of Pistacia species is under threat of severe genetic erosion, local varieties are being replaced by a few commercial types and wild species are being destroyed by human activities. Pistachio is thus a neglected species, although is unquestionable that is a main source of income in many CWANA countries, including Iran, Turkey and Syria. In the light of its strategic role for the region, IPGRI decided to deploy special efforts to address 1) a proper assessment of the distribution of the genetic diversity of the Pistacia gene pool; 2) the documentation of its genetic diversity and degree of erosion; 3) the safeguard of its genetic resources and associated knowledge through ex situ and in situ conservation methods and 4) the promotion of their greater uses through better understanding of agro-morphological and market-driven traits and exchange of material and experiences among countries. Two significant on going activities are those initiated in Syria and in Central Asia. In Syria an exhaustive ecogeographic, socio economic and genetic diversity survey is providing a sharp picture of the diversity of cultivated varieties of pistachio (Pistacia vera), many of which are being abandoned due to the spreading of high yielding commercial types. A map of the genetic diversity distribution across the country along with an assessment of the agrobotanical traits will be completed in 2001. In Central Asia IPGRI, in collaboration with the National Programmes of Turkmenistan Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan has carried out surveys and collecting activities to study and rescue indigenous remnant populations of the progenitor of Pistachio, now under severe threats of erosion and which has been largely neglected so far by researchers and conservationists.
Underutilized fruit trees of Asia (activity 2.1)
top Countries in Asia are becoming increasingly aware of the potential importance of native tropical fruit species as largely unexploited sources of income and employment particularly for women, and as good sources of dietary vitamins, minerals and energy. It is recognized that improved production and marketing can help to meet the rural and urban demand resulting in increased national revenues. In addition, the role of Asia’s enormous diversity of fruit species, both cultivated and wild, as components of stable ecosystems, is now becoming clearer. Over 400 edible tropical fruit species are found in Asia. They are important for the well being of the populations in the region, as sources of supplemental food, nutritionally balanced diets, and enhancing both household incomes and national revenues. Some species have specific medicinal uses, while others are used for timber, fuel wood and livestock feed. Diversity present in these species is eroding at a rapid pace.
In forest areas, the rich diversity of fruit species plays an important role as sources of food and shelter to other species of plants and animals, providing stability in complex natural ecosystems. In agricultural areas, fruit trees are important components of multi-crop systems, under which other vegetables, cereals, legumes, root and fodder crops and livestock can thrive.
Tropical fruits are rich in vitamins (A, C) and minerals (Calcium, Iron). Diversification towards fruits is essential for nutritional adequacy. Nutritionists advise a daily intake of at least 100 g fruits. To meet this requirement, annual per capita production of at least 37 kg fruits is required but the present level of production in most of the countries in the region is much below this minimum. After attaining a fairly satisfactory situation in grain production in many countries, there is a great need to diversify the food basket by having higher proportion of fruit in the daily diet. Since fruits are the most important source of supplementary nutrients, there is ample justification for increasing production of fruits to meet the nutritional demand and ensure nutritional security.
In the year 2000 IPGRI in partnership with ten Asian countries (Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam) has initiated an Asian Development Bank-supported effort for the Conservation and Use of Native Tropical Fruit Biodiversity in Asia. The beneficiaries of this project will be the farmers, labourers, consumers, researchers, genebank managers and the fruit industry. Participating countries will benefit by way of sharing information, technologies and germplasm. Threatened and valuable diversity of target genepools will be collected and placed in genebanks for future use. The project will address the development of refined techniques for fruit germplasm conservation and the researchers and genebank managers will have access to these technologies. Technical and managerial staff involved in fruit conservation research and development activities at national and local levels will have an opportunity to enhance their skills through advanced training and study visits.
The project will contribute to improve the conservation and use of the native diversity of both major and underutilized fruit species (i.e. jackfruit, litchi and durian, mangosteen, carambola and longan) through strengthened national capacities, including improved methods of conservation and documentation and selection of fruit diversity; community participation and regional collaboration leading to economic growth, rural and semi-urban employment generation, poverty reduction, environment protection, development of women, and maintenance of biodiversity.
The ultimate goal of the ADB-funded project is to increase food security, reduce poverty and improve the quality of environment in APO region through better conservation and utilization of tropical fruit genetic resources. The target species, which have great diversity in the region, are extensively grown by small holders (over 80%) and in home gardens, contributing significantly to income generation in the rural and semi-urban areas of many Asian countries. However, yield levels of the target species are currently low, resulting in poor returns to the growers. Even a small increase in the present level of yields is expected to contribute significantly in increasing net returns, thus contributing to the reduction in poverty in the target countries. Improved post-harvest methods will help to save the large quantity from spoilage, along with increased shelf life through exploiting the variability available in the gene pool of target species. Any increase in shelf life (either through genetic manipulation or through appropriate post-harvest technology) will go a long way to help the tropical fruit species growers in the region to be able to derive greater income, since most fruit growers in the region have access to proper storage facilities. Fruit cultivation provides additional employment opportunities through the promotion of fruit based industries – picking, grading, packing, transportation, storage and processing etc.
Improvement of fruit species will be achieved mainly through the widening of the genetic base available for improvement. Since most countries are interdependent on the germplasm needed for improvement, the project will promote exchange of fruit species germplasm, the corner stone for enhanced collaboration.
In the year 2001 and 2002, this project will deliver inter alia the following outputs:
- Documentation on existing information on genetic resources of the selected tropical fruit species
- Production of a shared databases of accession informatio.
- Ecogeographic studies to locate genetic diversity to determine its extent and distribution
- Establishment of ex situ conservation facilities for the collected germplasm
- Establishment of community-based conservation efforts
- Assess, evaluate and characterise genetic resources and identify elite material
- Collect and document indigenous knowledge
- Promote the exchange of information, technologies and germplasm of tropical fruit species among participating countries through 3 existing networks (SANPGR, RECSEA-PGR and EA-PGR).
Read the IFAD Supported Project - May 2001Read the Problem Analysis and Logical Framework of the overall Project
Improving the nutritional resource base in Africa through the use enhancement of indigenous vegetables (activity 3.1)
top Subsistence crops and wild plant species are major parts of agriculture in many developing countries. They have a significant role in nutrition, food security and income generation. IPGRI's socioeconomic research work in sub Saharan Africa is opening up ways to increase the food supply of local populations, raise incomes and stimulate economic activity, as well as increase the effectiveness of in situ conservation of valuable biodiversity. Leafy vegetables are important in the diet of many African countries. Thanks to the support of the Dutch Government, IPGRI is carrying out a specific project on traditional African leafy vegetables in Africa which has yielded already important insights into the diversity, uses and farmer management of germplasm that is challenging conventional beliefs about these underutilized species. Priori to IPGRI’s involvement on these species, there was a general understanding that leafy vegetables were not cultivated very widely, but they were rather gathered from the wild. Socioeconomic research sponsored by IPGRI found in fact a reverse situation. Farmers so actively cultivate leafy vegetables and manage their growing activities according to the diversity they knew was within the species. For example, bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) has several distinct genotypes with different degrees of bitterness that different cultural groups prefer. Farmers would select the material they planted depending on who would be buying and eating the leaves. The black nightshades (Solanum nigrum complex) are used widely as leafy vegetables and as a source of fruit and medicinal herbs, particularly in the west African forest zones. While S. nigrum grows easily and spontaneously in the forest, the seeds for the preferred types are eagerly sought after in markets and so form a good source of income for the forest farmers. However, the farmers need to be sure they can supply seeds that produce plants that meet consumer tastes, require little preparation and produce most yield. IPGRI project research documented for the first time the value of these leafy vegetables in maximizing the productivity of small parcels of land in the forest. The work also highlighted how important it is to maintain the genetic base of the crops and the stability of the ecosystem within the forest farming system to protect the livelihood of low-income farmers in west Africa. In 2001 and 2002 a second phase of this project will produce a number of new important outputs, including data on consumption patterns across communities, selection of best genotypes through community participatory selection work and assessment of the role that these species play for the health of woman who highly depend on these genetic resources for their nutritional conditions.
Enhancing the contribution of neglected and underutilized species to food security, and to incomes of the rural poor
Read the IFAD Supported Project - May 2001Read the Problem Analysis and Logical Framework of the overall Project
Conserving and using tropical American fruits (activity 4.2)
top Global demand for tropical fruits is expected to increase by 40% by 2005. In the Americas, IPGRI is supporting research on tropical fruits and promoting their conservation and use. This approach is providing farmers with ways to diversify their agriculture, secure a food supply and increase their income. The Mesoamerican, Andean and Amazonian plant genetic resources networks (REMERFI, REDARFIT and TROPIGEN) have all identified native fruits as priorities for research. This is motivated by the need to satisfy national markets and the desire to be more competitive in foreign markets. Fruit crops are offering opportunities to develop particular regions, for example the Andean valleys and the Amazon can both support large fruit crops. Cultivating fruit is also a way to diversify land use and move away from monocultures such as coffee growing in southern Brazil and Colombia and chive farming in the Colombian highlands. Tropical fruits can be grown successfully on smaller farms, providing a socially and environmentally favourable alternative to the devastating expansion of ranching in the Andean highlands. Fruit farming also stimulates the development of small, rural processing industries.
In the Americas region, IPGRI has collaborated closely with CIRAD-FLHOR in its research on fruit crops. Research is conducted primarily through projects with networks and national organizations. The work includes a strong bibliographical component to respond to the large demand for information from local scientists. Research is being undertaken on the Mesoamerican Sapotaceae, Andean passion fruits, pineapple, papaya and neotropical fruit diversity. In addition, support has been provided for the development of projects on cherimoya (Annona cherimola) and the Solanaceae.
Collaborative research on Passiflora (activity 4.2.1)
top Passiflora includes several Andean species that are economically important to local, regional and international markets. Other species, traditionally grown in home gardens or collected from the wild, are falling into disuse because of lack of development, despite their potential to become commercial crops. Population pressure in the region is high, raising considerable concern about conserving Passiflora diversity.
The first Passiflora project implemented by IPGRI, funded by IDB, was a good demonstration of the benefits of collaborative research within a network. Colombia (CORPOICA), Ecuador (INIAP and Universidad Técnica de Ambato), Venezuela (FONAIAP), Peru (INIA) and Bolivia (CFIP) shared work that included an ecogeographic survey and extensive collecting from Venezuela to Bolivia, focusing on the subgenus Tacsonia (banana passion fruits) and the section Tiliaefoliae of the subgenus Passiflora (sweet granadillas). A descriptor list for Passiflora was developed for the first time, allowing the accurate classification and description of the varieties. Researchers also developed unique molecular markers, allowing them to accurately characterize the germplasm collected in Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador. These data were analyzed and published in Euphytica, the Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter and the Proceedings of the Interamerican Society for Horticultural Science, publicizing the availability of the material for further use.
In Venezuela, IPGRI and FONAIAP staff established experimental protocols to characterize germplasm held in existing collections. This work led to collaborative collecting trips to replace germplasm lost from the collections. The morphological diversity and taxonomy of the Passiflora material were studied with workers in the Missouri Botanical Garden and the CIAT Genetic Resources Unit. A first and significant result of this collaboration described the cultigen "curuba India" as a new species, Passiflora tarminiana. Isozyme diversity studies confirmed the distinction between the two cultivated banana passion fruits, P. tripartita var. mollissima and P. tarminiana. Both cultigens appeared highly uniform. In addition, the data showed close affinities and the existence of a gene flow between P. tripartita var. mollissima and the wild and very variable P. mixta. The study was resumed on a partial sample in 1999 at CIAT’s Biotechnology laboratory using AFLP markers as the findings have great potential for future breeding activities.
> Another regional project aimed at safely conserving all the Passiflora accessions collected so far. IPGRI collaborated with the CIAT Genetic Resources Unit to determine the feasibility of cryopreserving Passiflora seeds. Very encouraging results were obtained with very simple procedures on the four species tested (P. edulis, P. ligularis, P. tripartita var. mollissima and P. tarminiana). These results open the way to safe and economic conservation of this taxon. Similar results were obtained at CENARGEN on P. edulis. Tests, using the same simple techniques, have been extended to 12 other species, with very promising results.
Further research, funded by COLCIENCIAS has been started on Passiflora by a consortium that includes IPGRI, the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogota and CENICAFE, the research centre of the Colombian Coffee Growers’ Association). IPGRI’s participation is mainly centred on morphological, molecular and cytogenetic characterization of the banana passion fruits (subgenus Tacsonia) and on collecting trips.
Establishing a cherimoya regional genebank (activity 4.2.2)
top Cherimoya (Annona cherimola), one of 100 species of the genus Annona, is a native American custard apple that has been a delicacy amongst natives of the Andes since prehistoric times. The fruit originates in the inter-Andean valleys from southern Ecuador to northern Chile and the greatest diversity is concentrated in Ecuador and Peru, where both wild and cultivated forms are found between 1200 and 2000 metres above sea level. It is known for its superior flavour and aroma and the attractive colour of its creamy flesh, characteristics that make it appetizing to eat fresh as well as in desserts, ice cream and drinks. The crushed seeds are used as insecticides in Mexico and Guatemala. It is cultivated on a commercial scale in frost-free, low humidity areas in Central and South America and in Egypt, India, Italy, New Zealand, Spain and the USA.
Due to its high nutritive value (fibre, vitamin C and niacin), high fructose content (18% DM) and excellent taste, cherimoya has exceptional export value. Its wide genetic diversity and broad adaptation give it great potential for improvement through hybridization and selection.
The most pressing need is to conserve the existing diversity. With this in mind, INIA, Peru, in collaboration with IPGRI and with funds from INIA, Spain, has established a field genebank for cherimoya in Peru, coordinated by PRONARGEB, the national programme. The genebank, located at the Canaan Experiment Station in Ayacucho, conserves both cultivated and wild material. The site was prepared in 1998, ’criollo’ rootstocks were established and some collecting missions were carried out by professionals from INIA, Peru, and national universities. The 248 accessions of wild and cultivated material so far collected have all been grafted onto the rootstocks in the field genebank. The resulting collection is being enriched with material reintroduced from the collection that INIA, Spain maintains at its Malaga experimental station.
The University of Loja, Ecuador, is establishing a complementary genebank containing mainly wild materials. The new genebank has been designated of regional importance by the Mesoamerican and Andean genetic resources networks, REMERFI and REDARFIT.
Once evaluated, this valuable material will stimulate the use of the broad variability present in A. cherimola for the selection of high-yielding, high-quality varieties with resistance to the most important pests and diseases. Conservation efforts will lead to the production of quality seed and the development of management technologies that will allow the region’s farmers to realize the species’ economic potential.
Inventory of native fruits from the Americas (activity 4.2.3)
top Research on native fruits has also extended to preparing information products. Americas Group staff inventoried native American fruit diversity, recording more than 1000 species, distributed among 66 families and 282 genera, in a database for the benefit of scientists and students interested in neglected fruits. Presented at three conferences in Brazil and Mexico, the inventory has raised such interest that the authors are expanding it with data on genetic resources, photographs and bibliographic data, including material from the grey literature. The information is being entered in a database that will be made available on the Internet and will eventually be distributed on a CD-ROM. This information will be invaluable to workers on native fruit in the Americas and will inevitably also draw attention to the need to conserve the impressive diversity of these fruits.
Consult the online American Fruit Inventory
National significance
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Underutilized species in Lebanon (activity 1.1)
top As a follow up to an international conference on priority setting for underutilized and neglected species held in Aleppo in 1998, IPGRI decided to initiate a pilot work in Lebanon that would address the promotion of these species through a multidisciplinary approach. The project focuses on a number of priority species used as vegetable, condiment, medicinal and other purposes, currently harvested from the wild and much appreciated by the local populations (namely sage (Salvia spp.), oregano (Origanum spp.), chicory (Cichorium spp.) and Gundelia spp.) No organized marketing, nor conservation and research takes place for these species in Lebanon. The human pressure on the wild populations of these species is increasingly becoming unsustainable and the survival of this resource base is at risk. This work is particularly valuable for assessing the ecogeographic distribution of these species, their level of threats, degree of use and analyses of the constraints limiting their full valorization through domestication and cultivation. The study investigates also on those agro-botanical traits whose improvement would contribute to enhance the marketing of these species along with socio economic surveys within the target area (app. 100 km square in the west slope of Mount Lebanon). Other topics covered by this project include 1) the development of priorities for a country-wide strategy for the promotion of underutilized species, 2) the identification of sites for in situ/on farm conservation, 3) the analyses of recommended breeding and selection strategies needed to improve the selected species and 4) the analyses of possible seed production system and germplasm dissemination to farmers of the improved material for enhancing the wider use of cultivated material and thus reducing the impact on the wild populations. Material from extensive collecting missions carried out in the target areas will be maintained in ex situ collections of local institutions.
By late 2001 results from the ecogeographic survey and the agronomic trials carried out for selecting most promising genotypes for domestication will be completed along with socio economic surveys. By the fall of 2002 the whole project will be completed.
Fig genetic resources in Syria (activity 1.2)
top The purpose of this work is to assess the current situation of diversity, use and conservation of fig genetic resources (Ficus carica) in Syria and develop a methodology for a sustainable management of their genetic resources using a complementary conservation approach. The study is meant to contribute in particular to the following objectives:
- Assess the distribution, conservation and use of fig landraces in Syria using GIS referenced data;
- Assess main agro-morphological traits;
- Assess cultivating practices across the country and existing processing activities;
- Assess the socio economic situation of figs along with a documentation of associated indigenous knowledge;
- Assess the genetic erosion threats and identify areas for on farm and ex situ conservation;
By May 2001 a report on the ecogeographic distribution of fig varieties in Syria (more than 50 varieties have been surveyed found so far) will be completed and by the end of the year the study will provide a full description of agromorphological traits and nutritional data on these varieties.
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